FRN3705 - Rebelling Against Conventionality: Expressions of French Individualism

Leader: Dr Natalie Doyle

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

This unit will take as its starting point recent French films of comedy and drama. These films will open up a discussion of the way French culture defines the relationship between individuality and social life. This discussion will open up a discovery of the historical roots of contemporary French culture, notably in the 17th Century, which greatly shaped French individualism.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, students will have familiarised themselves with French individualism in its cultural specificity. They will have gained a knowledge of the historical circumstances that have shaped French culture, namely the influence of monarchical absolutism and court life. They will have read and analysed a number of classical texts of French philosophy and literature as well as assessed their continued relevance for an understanding of contemporary French culture and its portrayal in recent filmic production. They will have developed an understanding of the notion of cultural specificity, as well as strategies for the study of written and audio-visual documents in French. They will also have acquired language skills in oral and written expression.

Assessment

Test (equivalent to 1000 words) : 20%
Individual Presentation in French
Group Presentation in French (equivalent to 500 words each ) : 20%
Two written assignments in French (Equivalent to 500 words each ) : 20%
Essay (Equivalent to 1500 words) : 40%
Assessment of student performance in all assessment tasks is referenced against their language level which may be level 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 at either second or third year level. Test and essay may be written in French by students having yet to complete level 6.

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

FRN1050

Prohibitions

FRN2705